Create release workflow that uploads a distribution artifact for easier consumption in LV installers

.github/workflows/create-distribution-artifact.yml

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+name: Create Distribution Artifact
+
+on:
+  workflow_dispatch:
+    inputs:
+      upload-artifact:
+        description: 'Upload as GitHub artifact'
+        required: false
+        type: boolean
+        default: true
+  workflow_call:
+    inputs:
+      upload-artifact:
+        description: 'Upload as GitHub artifact'
+        required: false
+        type: boolean
+        default: false
+
+jobs:
+  create-artifact:
+    runs-on: windows-latest
+
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout repository
+        uses: actions/checkout@v5
+
+      - name: Create framework artifact structure
+        shell: pwsh
+        run: |
+          & "${{ github.workspace }}\pipeline\scripts\Create_Distribution_Artifact.ps1"
+
+      - name: Upload artifact
+        if: ${{ inputs.upload-artifact }}
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v6
+        with:
+          name: actor-framework-distribution
+          path: artifact-staging/
+          retention-days: 7

.github/workflows/release.yml

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+name: Create Release
+
+on:
+  push:
+    tags:
+      - 'v*.*.*'
+
+jobs:
+  create-artifact:
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/create-distribution-artifact.yml
+    with:
+      upload-artifact: true
+
+  create-release:
+    needs: create-artifact
+    runs-on: windows-latest
+
+    steps:
+      - name: Download artifact
+        uses: actions/download-artifact@v7
+        with:
+          name: actor-framework-distribution
+          path: artifact-staging
+
+      - name: Create actor-framework-distribution.zip
+        shell: pwsh
+        run: |
+          Compress-Archive -Path artifact-staging\* -DestinationPath actor-framework-distribution.zip
+
+      - name: Create Release
+        uses: softprops/action-gh-release@v2
+        with:
+          files: actor-framework-distribution.zip
+          generate_release_notes: true

Documentation/Workflows/releases-and-artifacts.md

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+# Actor Framework Release Workflows
+
+This document contains information used to create the release artifacts using GitHub Actions workflows for the Actor Framework repository.
+
+## Workflows
+
+### 1. Create Distribution Artifact (`create-distribution-artifact.yml`)
+
+Creates a structured artifact containing Actor Framework files organized in the correct directory layout for LabVIEW installation. The workflow yml can be found [here](/.github/workflows/create-distribution-artifact.yml).
+
+**Triggers:**
+- Manual dispatch via GitHub Actions UI
+- Reusable workflow (called by other workflows)
+
+**Artifact Structure:**
+```
+<root directory>/
+├── vi.lib/
+│   └── ActorFramework/          # From Core/ActorFramework/
+├── resource/
+│   ├── AFDebug/                 # From Core/AFDebug/
+│   └── Framework/
+│       └── Providers/           # From Providers/
+└── menus/                       # From Core/Menus/
+```
+
+**Excluded Files:**
+- `*.lvproj` - LabVIEW project files
+- `*.vipb` - VI Package Builder files
+- `*.aliases` - LabVIEW aliases files
+- `*.lvlps` - LabVIEW project settings
+- Paths listed in [`pipeline/config/artifact-exclusions.txt`](../../pipeline/config/artifact-exclusions.txt)
+
+**Manual Usage:**
+1. Go to Actions tab in GitHub
+2. Select "Create Distribution Artifact" workflow
+3. Click "Run workflow"
+4. Download the `actor-framework-distribution` artifact
+
+**Reusable Workflow Inputs:**
+- `upload-artifact` (boolean, default: false) - Whether to upload as GitHub artifact
+
+### 2. Create Release (`release.yml`)
+
+Automatically creates a GitHub release with the distribution artifact when a version tag is pushed. The workflow yml can be found [here](/.github/workflows/release.yml).
+
+**Triggers:**
+- Push of tags matching pattern `v*.*.*` (e.g., `v2.0.0`, `v1.0.1`, `v2.0.0.5`, `v1.0.0.0-rc`)
+
+**Process:**
+1. Calls `create-distribution-artifact.yml` workflow
+2. Downloads the created artifact
+3. Compresses it into `actor-framework-distribution.zip`
+4. Creates a GitHub release with:
+   - The ZIP file as release asset
+   - Auto-generated release notes
+
+**Usage:**
+```bash
+# Create and push a version tag
+git tag v2.0.0.18
+git push origin v2.0.0.18
+
+# The workflow runs automatically and creates the release
+```
+
+**Release Assets:**
+- `actor-framework-distribution.zip` - Contains the complete framework in proper directory structure
+
+## Configuration Files
+
+### `pipeline/config/artifact-exclusions.txt`
+
+Text file containing paths to exclude from the distribution artifact. See the file [here](../../pipeline/config/artifact-exclusions.txt).
+
+**Format:**
+- One path per line (relative to repository root)
+- Lines starting with `#` are comments
+- Empty lines are ignored
+- Use backslashes for Windows paths: `Providers\Install Support`
+
+**Example:**
+```text
+# Installation support files
+Providers\Install Support
+
+# Example exclusions (commented out)
+# Examples\TestData
+# Core\DeprecatedFeatures
+```
+
+**To add new exclusions:**
+1. Edit `pipeline/config/artifact-exclusions.txt`
+2. Add the path on a new line
+3. Commit and push changes
+4. Next workflow run will use updated exclusions
+
+## Scripts
+
+### `pipeline/scripts/Create_Distribution_Artifact.ps1`
+
+PowerShell script that handles the actual file copying and artifact structure creation. See the script [here](../../pipeline/scripts/Create_Distribution_Artifact.ps1).
+
+**Parameters:**
+- `ExclusionFile` (string, optional) - Path to file containing exclusion patterns
+  - Default: `$PSScriptRoot\..\config\artifact-exclusions.txt`
+
+**Example:**
+```powershell
+# Use default exclusion file
+.\pipeline\scripts\Create_Distribution_Artifact.ps1
+
+# Use custom exclusion file
+.\pipeline\scripts\Create_Distribution_Artifact.ps1 -ExclusionFile "path\to\custom-exclusions.txt"
+```
+
+**Logic:**
+1. Reads exclusion paths from configuration file
+2. Creates staging directory structure
+3. Copies files from source directories
+4. Excludes files based on:
+   - File extensions: `*.lvproj`, `*.vipb`, `*.aliases`, `*.lvlps`
+   - Paths listed in exclusion file
+5. Maintains relative directory structure within each target location
+6. Logs all excluded files and paths for troubleshooting
+
+## Development Guidelines
+
+### Adding New Exclusions
+
+**Recommended Method:** Edit the exclusion configuration file
+
+1. Open `pipeline/config/artifact-exclusions.txt`
+2. Add new paths (one per line):
+   ```text
+   # Your comment explaining why
+   Path\To\Exclude
+   ```
+3. Commit and push changes
+
+**Alternative Method:** Override in workflow (not recommended for permanent exclusions)
+
+```yaml
+- name: Create framework artifact structure
+  shell: pwsh
+  run: |
+    & "${{ github.workspace }}\pipeline\scripts\Create_Distribution_Artifact.ps1" -ExclusionFile "custom-exclusions.txt"
+```
+
+### Adding New File Extension Exclusions
+
+Edit `Create_Distribution_Artifact.ps1` and add to `$excludeExtensions`:
+
+```powershell
+$excludeExtensions = @('*.lvproj', '*.vipb', '*.aliases', '*.lvlps', '*.your-extension')
+```
+
+### Adding New Source Directories
+
+Update `Create_Distribution_Artifact.ps1`:
+
+```powershell
+# Add new directory creation
+New-Item -ItemType Directory -Force -Path "$stagingDir\your\target\path"
+
+# Add copy operation
+Copy-WithExclusions -SourcePath "Source\Path" -DestPath "$stagingDir\your\target\path" -Label "Description"
+```
+
+### Testing Changes
+
+Before pushing changes:
+
+1. **Test locally:**
+   ```powershell
+   cd c:\dev\actor-framework
+   .\pipeline\scripts\Create_Distribution_Artifact.ps1
+   # Inspect artifact-staging/ directory
+   ```
+
+2. **Test via workflow:**
+   - Go to Actions → "Create Distribution Artifact"
+   - Click "Run workflow"
+   - Download and verify artifact contents
+
+3. **Test release workflow (use test tag):**
+   ```bash
+   git tag v0.0.0-test
+   git push origin v0.0.0-test
+   # Delete after testing: git push --delete origin v0.0.0-test
+   ```
+
+## Troubleshooting
+
+### Artifact is missing files
+- Check workflow logs for exclusion warnings
+- Verify source directories exist and contain expected files
+- Review `pipeline/config/artifact-exclusions.txt` for unintended exclusions
+- Ensure file extensions aren't in the `$excludeExtensions` list
+
+### Exclusions not working
+- Verify exclusion file path is correct
+- Check for typos in paths (case-sensitive on some systems)
+- Ensure paths use backslashes: `Providers\Install Support`
+- Review workflow logs for "Loaded X exclusion path(s)" message
+
+### Release workflow not triggering
+- Verify tag matches pattern `v*.*.*`
+- Check that tag was pushed to remote: `git push origin <tagname>`
+- Review Actions tab for any errors
+- Ensure you have permissions to create releases
+
+### Path issues on Windows
+- The script normalizes paths (`/` → `\`)
+- Use backslashes in exclusion file: `Providers\Install Support`
+- Paths are relative to repository root
+- Wildcards are supported in path matching
+
+### Script fails to find exclusion file
+- Default location: `pipeline\config\artifact-exclusions.txt`
+- Verify file exists and is committed to repository
+- Check file is not excluded by `.gitignore`
+- Use `-ExclusionFile` parameter to specify custom path
+
+## Related Documentation
+
+- [GitHub Actions Documentation](https://docs.github.com/en/actions)
+- [Reusable Workflows](https://docs.github.com/en/actions/using-workflows/reusing-workflows)
+- [Creating Releases](https://docs.github.com/en/repositories/releasing-projects-on-github/managing-releases-in-a-repository)

pipeline/config/artifact-exclusions.txt

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+# Artifact Exclusion List
+# One path per line, relative to repository root
+# Lines starting with # are comments
+
+# Installation support files
+Providers\Install Support
+
+# Add future exclusions here
+# Examples\TestData